Can't Take My Eyes Off You

"Can't Take My Eyes Off You"
Cover of the 1967 US single
Single by Frankie Valli
from the album The 4 Seasons Present Frankie Valli Solo
B-side	"The Trouble With Me"
Released	May 1967
Format	7"
Recorded	April 1967
Genre	Blue-eyed soul pop
Length	2:58
Label	Philips
Writer(s)	Bob Crewe Bob Gaudio
Producer(s)	Bob Crewe
Certification	Gold (RIAA)
Frankie Valli singles chronology
"The Proud One" (1966) "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" (1967) "I Make a Fool of Myself" (1967)

"Can't Take My Eyes Off You" is a 1967 single by Frankie Valli. The song was among Valli's biggest hits, earning a gold record and reaching #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 for a week, stuck behind "Windy" by The Association. ^[1] It was co written by Bob Gaudio, a bandmate of Valli's in the Four Seasons. It was Valli's biggest solo hit until he hit #1 in 1974 with "My Eyes Adored You".^[2] "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" has had a major cultural impact, with hundreds of cover versions, many of which have been on the charts themselves in different countries. The song is a staple of television and film soundtracks, even being featured as part of the plot of some films, such as when the lead characters sing or arrange their own version of the song. The Valli version was also used by NASA as a wake-up song for a mission of the Space Shuttle, on the anniversary of astronaut Christopher Ferguson.

Credits

The song was written by Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio. Arrangement was done by Artie Schroeck and Gaudio.^[3] The original recording was made at A&R Recording Studios at 799 7th Avenue, with Bob Crewe producing and Phil Ramone as the engineer.

Notable cover versions

The song has been covered by some 200 artists over the years, in many countries, under both versions of the title. A few notable examples of cover versions that appeared on the charts:

1967–69

• The Lettermen (#7 in 1967, in a medley with "Goin' Out Of My Head")^[4]

• A version by Andy Williams made it to #5 on the UK singles chart in 1968.^[5] The arranger and producer was Nick DeCaro and the conductor was Eddie Karam.^[6] This version is included in the soundtrack of the 2001 film Bridget Jones's Diary. In 2002 he recorded a new version of the song, as a duet with British actress and singer Denise van Outen, which reached #23 in the UK singles charts.^[7]

• Nancy Wilson (#52 in 1969)^[8]

• Engelbert Humperdinck covered the song on his 1968 album A Man Without Love.^[9]

• The Easybeats covered the song on their 1968 album Vigil, only released on the UK/European version of the album.

1970–89

• In 1970, Brook Benton recorded the song in his album Brook Benton Today.^[10]

• In 1972, Bobby Darin performed the song on his summer television series, Dean Martin Presents: The Bobby Darin Amusement Company, and this version was included in the 2004 album Aces Back to Back.

• In 1974, Anna Maria Alberghetti performed the song as part of a medley on the 1974 Jerry Lewis Labor Day MDA Telethon.

• In 1975, Julio Iglesias sang the song on his TV show.

• Shirley Bassey recorded this as a United Artist Single in 1976.

• Maureen McGovern (#27 on the US Adult Contemporary chart in 1979; #5 Canadian AC in 1980).^[11]

• In 1982, San Francisco based disco band Boys Town Gang performed a disco version of the song which reached number one in the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and number four in the United Kingdom.^[12][13] This version was also successful in Japan, receiving a gold digital certification by the RIAJ in 2011, and is also on games such as Just Dance 4.

• In 1987, Hong Kong singer Prudence Liew recorded a Cantonese version and released it as the fourth single from her sophomore album Why.

• In 1989, Michelle Pfeiffer sang the song in The Fabulous Baker Boys (1989).

1990–99

• Various versions from 1991 onwards by disco singer Gloria Gaynor.^[14]

• In 1991, Pet Shop Boys used part of the song on their cover version of U2's "Where the Streets Have No Name", which reached #4 in the U.K. and #72 in the U.S.^[15]

• In 1992, Dutch singers Gerard Joling and Tatjana Šimić recorded a duet version of the song (including a rap segment by Darrell Bell), which peaked at #5 in the Dutch Top 40 charts.^[16]

• In 1993, the song was recorded by a-ha singer Morten Harket for the soundtrack of the movie Coneheads (1993).^[17]

• In 1994, Russian singer Filipp Kirkorof recorded this song for his album I'm not a Rafael.

• In 1995, Christian rock band Daniel Amos recorded a version of the song on their album Songs of the Heart.

• In 1996, Manic Street Preachers recorded a version of the song and used it as the third b-side on their single Australia - the fourth to be taken from the hit album Everything Must Go.

• Turkish singer Tuba Önal covered the song in Turkish, titled "Gelmezsen Gelme" and featured the song on her 1997 album Onun Adı Aşk.

• In 1998, Lauryn Hill (#35 on the Hot 100 Airplay chart and #2 on the Rhythmic Top 40 chart in 1998 and #8 on the Australian Singles Charts).^[18] This version was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 1999.

• In 1999, Jatin-Lalit included a Hindi version, "Haan Haan Yeh Pyar Hai", in the film Dillagi.

• In 1999, Heath Ledger sang the song in the teen romantic-comedy 10 Things I Hate About You.

2000–09

• In 2000, Japanese singer Ringo Sheena, for the single "Tsumi to Batsu".

• In 2000, Hong Kong singer Leon Lai did a Cantonese version in his album Beijing Station.

• 2001, Jimmy Somerville released his version as a single.

• 2000, Sheena Easton recorded her version for her album Fabulous.

• 2001, British group Muse, for the single "Dead Star" / "In Your World".

• 2002, Japanese singer Tommy february6, on her eponymous album.

• In 2004, Jennifer Peña recorded a Latin version of the song, "No Hay Nadie Igual Como Tu", which reached #33 on the Latin charts.

• In 2004, Bad Manners, for the The Ultimate Bad Collection - Crooners.

• In 2006, Barry Manilow including this song on his album The Greatest Songs of the Sixties, which reached #2 on the Billboard 200, and #56 in the UK.^[19]

• The Killers performed this song as an intro to "Shadowplay" while on their Sam's Town Tour in 2006 and 2007.

• John Barrowman recorded a cover for his 2008 album Music Music Music.

• In 2007, Greek Singer Efi Thodi including this song on his album International.

• In 2008, Chinese soft rock duet Yu Quan recorded a cover as an EP titled Fall in Love with Your Beauty.

• In 2008, Valli's version of the song was played by NASA as the morning wake-up call for astronaut Christopher Ferguson, in honor of his anniversary while he was on the STS-126 Space Shuttle mission (WAV MP3).

2010–

• In 2010, A cappella group Straight No Chaser included a cover of the song on their album With a Twist.

• In 2010, Clay Aiken included a cover of the song on his album Tried and True.

• In 2011, Japanese R&B singer Misia, included a cover of the song as a B-side to her single "Kioku". The song was later included on her cover album, Misia no Mori: Forest Covers.

• In 2011, Taiwanese-American singer-songwriter Joanna Wang, included a cover of the song on her cover album, The Things We Do for Love.

• 2011, Stereophonics frontman Kelly Jones sang an acoustic version of the song in tribute to former Wales national football team manager Gary Speed. The song has been an adopted anthem for Welsh football fans during Speed's playing career with Wales after being used in a BBC Wales promo for the 1994 World Cup qualifying campaign.^[20]

• In 2012, Sandaime J Soul Brothers, a dance and vocal group from Japan under the same agency as EXILE, cover this song and sing it on their [0~ZERO~ Live Tour] as "君の瞳に恋してる-Can't Take My Eyes Off of You-".^[21]

• In 2013, Canadian indie band Walk off the Earth recorded an acoustic/beat box version of the song posted on YouTube with Belgian singer/songwriter Selah Sue voicing the chorus.^[22]

• In 2013, South Korean girl group Girls' Generation performed a version of this song as part of their Japan 2nd Tour ～Girls＆Peace～^[23] and 2013 Girls' Generation World Tour - Girls & Peace.^[24]

• In 2013, Rumba music group Chico & the Gypsies did a Spanish version called "No Puedo Quitar Mis Ojos De Ti" on their album Fiesta released mid-2013. Chico is Jahloul "Chico" Bouchikhi, one of the founder members of Gipsy Kings.

• In 2013, the vocal harmony group The Overtones covered the song for the official soundtrack of the German movie Buddy, and also included the song on the Christmas and Mother's Day editions of their 2013 platinum selling album, Saturday Night at the Movies.

• In 2015, Greek singers Antonis Remos and Melina Aslanidou performed the song whilst on a tour.

References

1. "Billboard Hot 100". 1967-07-22. Retrieved 2015-07-31.
2. Bronson, Fred. The Billboard book of number 1 hits. p. 398.
3. Discogs.com page for Can't Take My Eyes Off You Retrieved December 7, 2011.
4. The Lettermen's charting singles Retrieved December 7, 2011.
5. Official Charts Company, Top 40 Singles, 1 May 1968 Retrieved April 11, 2015
6. Love, Andy by Andy Williams, album sleeve, 1967. New York: Columbia Records CS 9566
7. Official Charts Company, Top 40 Singles, 23 June 2002 Retrieved April 11, 2015
8. Nancy Wilson's charting singles Retrieved December 7, 2011.
9. Discogs.com page for A Man Without Love Retrieved March 28, 2016.
10. Discogs.com page for Brook Benton Today Retrieved February 19, 2014.
11. http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.9258&type=1&interval=50&PHPSESSID=2vo7nds4pse2i889njf2aru315
12. Top 40 of June 24, 1982 Retrieved December 7, 2011.
13. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 74. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
14. Gloria Gaynor - Can't Take My Eyes Off You - YourDancefloorTV on YouTube. Retrieved June 9, 2012.
15. Pet Shop Boys' charting singles Retrieved December 7, 2011.
16. Dutch Top 40 year list of 1992 Retrieved October 10, 2014.
17. Coneheads, Original Soundtrack Retrieved December 7, 2011.
18. Lauryn Hill's charting singles Retrieved December 7, 2011.
19. Barry Manilow's charting albums. Retrieved December 7, 2011.
20. Kelly Jones sing Gary Speed Tribute Retrieved December 7, 2011.
21. Sandaime J Soul Brothers LIVE TOUR 2012 "0 - Zero -" [Blu-ray] Retrieved August 28, 2013
22. Can't Take My Eyes Off You - Walk off the Earth (Feat. Selah Sue) on YouTube Retrieved January 16th, 2013.
23. Girls' Generation Second Japan Arena Tour Set List Retrieved April 5th, 2013.
24. 2013 Girls' Generation World Tour Set List. Retrieved June 9, 2013.

External links

• "Official Frankie Valli Site". Retrieved 2010-2-16.
• Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics
• RIAA - Gold & Platinum Searchable Database